It’s getting scary in the Dancing With the Stars ballroom.
We’re in the back half of Season 34, with nine celebrities left competing for the Len Goodman Mirror Ball Trophy following the ouster of Grammy winner Scott Hoying last week on “Wicked Night“: The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives stars Jen Affleck and Whitney Leavitt, Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles, social media personality Alix Earle, reality star Dylan Efron, actress Danielle Fishel, actress Elaine Hendrix, wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin, and comedian Andy Richter.
But if the intensifying competition isn’t enough to frighten the socks off the remaining contestants, “Halloween Night” will bring its share of ghouls to shake things up. DWTS promises “eerie makeovers and chilling routines” for its holiday edition, with special guest judge and two-time Mirror Ball champion Cheryl Burke on hand to mete out scores alongside regular panelists Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli. Their scores will be combined with the votes of the viewing audience to determine who may be at risk of elimination.
There will be an opportunity to add bonus points to the judges’ scores, though. “Halloween Night” will end with a dance marathon where the couples will do the Hustle to “Murder on the Dancefloor” by Sophie Ellis-Bextor and then the Lindy Hop to “A Little Party Never Killed Nobody (All We Got)” by Fergie, Q-Tip, and GoonRock. The longer you stay in the marathon, the more bonus points you get, until the last team standing are crowned the king and queen of the “Dance Monster-thon.”
Additionally, there will be performances to “Sympathy Is a Knife” by Charli XCX featuring Ariana Grande and “The Dead Dance” by Lady Gaga. And DWTS pros Jan Ravnik and Jenna Johnson will hoof it to “Cancelled!” by Taylor Swift. So who will conjure the best routines, and who will be slashed from the competition at the end of the night?
Whitney Leavitt and pro Mark Ballas
Performance: The pressure is starting to get to the reality TV star, but she donned green stripes as a creepy inmate, or maybe a mental patient, for her jazz routine to “Brain Stew” by Green Day.
Carrie Ann’s comments: “Even though you’re on top, I still want you to enjoy the process,” but “you were wonderful.”
Derek’s comments: “This dance was no tricks, but all treats,” it had “nuance, musicality, creativity,” and he loved the Bob Fosse details set to Green Day.
Cheryl’s comments: “Your partnership continues to impress me.” She praises Ballas’ choreography, but the timing during their side-by-sides was a little off.
Bruno’s comments: It was “mind-blowing,” and there was “method to the madness.” And he appreciated Ballas’ choreographic touches that “we don’t see anymore.”
Scores: Carrie Ann (9), Derek (9), Cheryl (9), Bruno (10) = 37 out of 40
Jordan Chiles and pro Ezra Sosa
Performance: The gymnast got mummified and donned a harness for a contemporary routine to “Elastic Heart” by Sia, where Sosa played all her inner demons.
Carrie Ann’s comments: She explored “new movement vocabulary … I liked this experimentation.” But the prop got a little distracting and she seemed to struggle with it at times.
Derek’s comments: He loved the choreography and acrobatics, but the “execution wasn’t fully realized.”
Cheryl’s comments: “Your partnership is so strong,” and she wants to see that more when they dance together.
Bruno’s comments: “No ropes, nothing can hold you back because you believed.” He could see her “story through it … Never stop believing, honey.”
Scores: Carrie Ann (9), Derek (8), Cheryl (8), Bruno (9) = 34 out of 40
Andy Richter and pro Emma Slater
Performance: The comedian plays a priest casting out a demon on the foggy dance floor in an Exorcist-inspired paso doble to “Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67: I. Allegro con brio” by Ludwig van Beethoven.
Carrie Ann’s comments: “You have some kind of mystery magic happening. Every week you get better and better.” His “posture is improving.” But he could work on using his legs more.
Derek’s comments: The judge snaps his dreaded six paddle, and praises him for how hard he’s worked.
Cheryl’s comments: “You are the heart of this show.” He “showcased some technique,” but she wants him to show more intention with his movements.
Bruno’s comments: “You could be excommunicated after this for sins against the paso doble.” But he captured “really good, cult-classic horror.”
Scores: Carrie Ann (7), Derek (7), Cheryl (7), Bruno (7) = 28 out of 40
Elaine Hendrix injured!
The Parent Trap actress is missing from the ballroom tonight due to an injury suffered during rehearsals. She remains in the hospital as of tonight’s show, but she’s still in the competition. “I feel like my muscle is twisted under my rib,” she said while being assessed. She has been cleared by doctors to return to the competition, but since she can’t dance tonight live on the air, she will be judged and scored based on her last full rehearsal.
Elaine Hendrix and pro Alan Bersten
Performance: In rehearsals, she delivered a gutsy Argentine tango to “Bad to the Bone” by 2WEI and Bri Bryant.
Carrie Ann’s comments: “I am brokenhearted for you truly.” She was like “damn, girl!” watching the rehearsal, and she looks forward to Hendrix’s imminent return.
Derek’s comments: Elaine is a “born performer,” and even in the rehearsal it was impressive.
Cheryl’s comments: Burke feels that Hendrix and company are “underrated,” but they need to work on transitions.
Bruno’s comments: “The content, the lines, the placement” were impressive. Hendrix’s performance quality would have taken it up a notch on the night of.
Scores: Carrie Ann (8), Derek (8), Cheryl (8), Bruno (8) = 32 out of 40
Danielle Fishel and pro Pasha Pashkov
Performance: Fishel’s idea of a murder mystery story where Pashkov is her killer fuels his choreography for their Viennese waltz to “Die With A Smile” by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars.
Carrie Ann’s comments: “There was moments where I really see this progress,” but her movements are still kind of “small.”
Derek’s comments: “I love watching you dance,” “the stride was beautiful,” but it’s “lacking the movement from the torso.” Still, “I love you.”
Cheryl’s comments: “What an amazing, smooth, proper Viennese waltz,” but she wants to see more of the emotion come through in her movements.
Bruno’s comments: “I felt it deeply!” He liked how the dance turned from a “dream” to a nightmare.
Scores: Carrie Ann (8), Derek (8), Cheryl (8), Bruno (9) = 33 out of 40
Robert Irwin and pro Witney Carson
Performance: Irwin is a conductor of a symphony of the dead during his spooky Argentine tango to “Sweet Dreams Are Made of This” by The Hampton String Quartet, which ends with him dragged under the rafters by a angry group of zombies.
Carrie Ann’s comments: “Did I believe you as the leading man? Yes I did! You were in control of that dance.” And he “fought for that one moment you almost lost it.”
Derek’s comments: “We were just drawn in, your strength, your partnership, those lifts — well done.”
Cheryl’s comments: “You are a natural showman.” She is an “Argentine tango snob,” so she has a few quibbles, “you have to make love to the floor with your feet.”
Bruno’s comments: “You really literally killed it. That was deadly hot.” He especially liked the “tension” and the “style.” It had the feel of “film noir.”
Scores: Carrie Ann (10), Derek (9), Cheryl (9), Bruno (10) = 38 out of 40
Jen Affleck and pro Jan Ravnik
Performance: Affleck went after her doubters and haters with a dark contemporary routine to “Look What You Made Me Do” by Taylor Swift.
Carrie Ann’s comments: “That beginning was off the charts,” but “there’s still a bit of inconsistency,” so she needs to be aware of her “whole body.” “I see the potential in you.”
Derek’s comments: Jan is doing a “fantastic” first season, but he agrees with Carrie Ann, though her “commitment” and “attitude” are commendable.
Cheryl’s comments: “Work on your connection together,” but it was her best dance of the season so far.
Bruno’s comments: “When you’re thinking, you lose the momentum,” where she doesn’t “carry one movement to the next.” When she lets go, she’s excellent.
Scores: Carrie Ann (8), Derek (8), Cheryl (8), Bruno (8) = 32 out of 40
Alix Earle and pro Val Chmerkovskiy
Performance: Earle invited Chmerkovskiy to push her even harder in training for their undead tango to “bury a friend” by Billie Eilish.
Carrie Ann’s comments: She has “much respect” for Earle embracing the process.
Derek’s comments: “Sometimes tough love gets the job done, vintage Val!” It was “sharp and controlled,” “fantastic.”
Cheryl’s comments: “The tango is full of passion and fire,” and she accomplished that, but Burke doesn’t like that the couple broke hold.
Bruno’s comments: “Drop dead good!” The choreography was competition level.
Scores: Carrie Ann (10), Derek (10), Cheryl (9), Bruno (10) = 39 out of 40
Dylan Efron and pro Daniella Karagach
Performance: Another injury! He’s a vampire, and she’s human during their Viennese waltz to “Can’t Help Falling In Love (DARK)” by Tommee Profitt and Brooke, but while training for it, Karagach accidentally broke his nose. It didn’t affect his feet, though, during their fiery number.
Carrie Ann’s comments: She’s “irresistible” because of the intention and emotions of his movements.
Derek’s comments: “You are smooth as velvet, the chemistry you both have, the broodiness,” but his frame was a little off during the fleckerl.
Cheryl’s comments: “You are the most improved couple of the season,” but he needs to watch out for his bum and “keep those hips under.”
Bruno’s comments: “All that sexy, kinky, hot business!” He was a convincing lead, but he needs to watch the pivots, and he agrees about his bum.
Scores: Carrie Ann (9), Derek (9), Cheryl (8), Bruno (9) = 35 out of 40
Dance Monster-thon
First Eliminated (1 Point): Andy Richter
Second Eliminated (2 Points): Jen Affleck
Third Eliminated (2 Points): Danielle Fishel
Fourth Eliminated (3 Points): Dylan Efron
Fifth Eliminated (3 Points): Robert Irwin
Sixth Eliminated (4 Points): Jordan Chiles
Seventh Eliminated (4 Points): Alix Earle
Winner (5 Points): Whitney Leavitt
JUDGES’ LEADERBOARD
1. Alix Earle — 39 + 4 = 43
2. Whitney Leavitt — 37 + 5 = 42
3. Robert Irwin — 38 + 3 = 41
4. Jordan Chiles — 34 + 4 = 38
4. Dylan Efron — 35 + 3 = 38
6. Danielle Fishel — 33 + 2 = 35
7. Jen Affleck — 32 + 2 = 34
8. Elaine Hendrix — 32
9. Andy Richter — 28 + 1 = 29
Results
Safe: Alix Earle, Jordan Chiles, Dylan Efron, Robert Irwin, Danielle Fishel, Andy Richter
In Jeopardy: Jen Affleck, Elaine Hendrix, Whitney Leavitt
Eliminated: Jen Affleck
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